You’ve been hearing ringing in your ears for weeks now, maybe longer. It might have started after a loud concert or seemed to appear out of nowhere. Either way, the noise is constant enough that you’ve started wondering if something is actually wrong.
Tinnitus (ear ringing) affects about 10% of people in the United States every year, and while it’s not harmful, the constant noise can be disturbing and disruptive.
At our Brooklyn, New York, office, Steven D. Kushnick, MD, evaluates persistent tinnitus to identify what’s causing it and develop treatment that addresses the underlying problem.
Tinnitus creates sounds that only you can hear. The noise might vary in volume and pitch throughout the day or stay relatively constant, and it can affect one ear or both. People describe their tinnitus differently:
The volume ranges from barely noticeable to loud enough to interfere with concentration. Some people only hear it in quiet environments, while others notice it constantly.
Most people experience brief tinnitus at some point — your ears might ring for a few minutes after a concert or loud event. That temporary ringing usually fades within hours or days. Tinnitus is chronic when it persists for weeks, months, or years without improving on its own.
Tinnitus is a symptom, not a disease. Something in your auditory system isn’t working right, and the ringing is how your brain interprets that malfunction. Common causes include:
Exposure to loud sounds damages the tiny hair cells in your inner ear that transmit sound signals to your brain. When these cells are impaired or destroyed, your brain sometimes creates phantom sounds to fill in the missing input.
Too much earwax pressing against your eardrum can create ringing or buzzing sounds. This type of tinnitus usually improves immediately once Dr. Kushnick removes the excess wax.
Sinus infections cause inflammation and fluid buildup that affects how sound travels through your ear. The resulting pressure and blockage can create ringing that persists until the infection clears.
Hearing naturally declines with age as the structures in your inner ear deteriorate. This gradual hearing loss often comes with tinnitus as your auditory system tries to compensate for the reduced input.
Problems with blood vessels in your head or neck can create pulsatile tinnitus — a rhythmic pulsing or whooshing sound that matches your heartbeat. This type differs from regular tinnitus and needs evaluation to rule out vascular issues.
Other medical conditions that can cause or worsen tinnitus include:
Even hormonal shifts during menopause, when estrogen declines significantly, can cause tinnitus.
Dr. Kushnick conducts a thorough exam to determine what’s causing your ear ringing. He reviews your symptoms and medical history, examines your ears’ structure and function, and may request diagnostic tests like hearing evaluations or a head CT scan.
Most cases of temporary tinnitus resolve on their own without treatment. Chronic tinnitus needs a targeted approach based on what’s causing it. Dr. Kushnick may recommend:
Some people find that their tinnitus improves once they address underlying conditions like thyroid problems or high blood pressure. Others need ongoing management with sound therapy or devices that make the ringing less intrusive.
Persistent ear ringing won’t improve on its own if there’s an underlying problem causing it. Dr. Kushnick can identify what’s creating the noise and recommend treatment that addresses the source.
Call our Brooklyn, New York, office at 718-250-8520 today, or use our online booking tool to schedule a tinnitus evaluation at your convenience.
